Non-native as well but for me, “female” is an adjective and only used as a noun in technical setting. If used in regular conversation setting, it’s condescending and dehumanizing.
Good:
There are fifteen females in the survey.
The female is more aggressive, typical of hyenas.
You bought the wrong USB cable, this one is a female.
Also interesting because in German progressive/queer feminist groups use the term
“Weiblich gelesen” (literal: read female, meaning: assumed to be female)
If we want to refer to someone who looks like a women by conservative standards but about whom we don’t know if they actually identify as a women.
“Weib” (degrading term for “women/wife” derived from the word “weiblich” (female)) on the other hand is considered very rude and only used by conservative/sexist people.
Just find it interesting which words are differently connotated in which language.
Non-native as well but for me, “female” is an adjective and only used as a noun in technical setting. If used in regular conversation setting, it’s condescending and dehumanizing.
Good:
Bad:
Also interesting because in German progressive/queer feminist groups use the term
“Weiblich gelesen” (literal: read female, meaning: assumed to be female)
If we want to refer to someone who looks like a women by conservative standards but about whom we don’t know if they actually identify as a women.
“Weib” (degrading term for “women/wife” derived from the word “weiblich” (female)) on the other hand is considered very rude and only used by conservative/sexist people.
Just find it interesting which words are differently connotated in which language.